Seven boats were on Monday handed over to health centres in the upper and lower Pomeroon to boost health care services in Region Two communities.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, Regional Chairman Ali Baksh, in the company of Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, handed over the boats at the Charity Farmers’ Wharf.
The boats were purchased at a cost of $125,000 each through the Regional Administration’s 2007 Capital allocation for health-care development. They are intended to boost health care services in riverain communities such as Kabakaburi, St Monica, Abram’s Creek, Friendship Canal, Bethany, Wakapoa and Akawini.
It is expected that health workers will use the boats for home-visits to patients who are shut-in. Persaud and Baksh urged the workers to make full use of the resources.
Over the years, motor engines have been provided to the various communities to help sick persons access health care.
Additionally, more persons have been trained with the intention that they return to their communities to serve.
GINA said Persaud was at the time visiting the region to inspect the drainage and irrigation system.
Regional Vice-Chairman Vishnu Samaroo, Regional Executive Officer Iqbaul Khan and other representatives from the Regional Administration and health sector also attended the ceremony.